WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Attorneys for a firefighter who fell through a burning floor in a fire that killed three of his colleagues say they are preparing to sue a Delaware city for its use of brownouts, which place fire trucks out of service to save on overtime expenses.
Attorney Thomas S. Neuberger, who represents Brad Speakman, tells The News Journal that Wilmington officials have deliberately understaffed the fire department, leading to 16 years of conditional company closures that endangered lives. The brownout practice was discontinued after the November 2016 fire, but reinstated nearly two months later.
Neuberger says the principle that resulted in a $7.5 million settlement for corrections officials over understaffing applies to this case.
Wilmington City Council Public Safety Chair Loretta Walsh declined to comment until a federal investigation is complete.
